Who Will Take Cam? A Look at the First 10 Picks in the 2011 NFL Draft

Cam Newton announced Thursday that he is entering the 2011 NFL Draft.

The next questions are: What team will take him and with what pick will he be chosen?

Some have suggested that he will go in the first several picks. Others are certain he will drop out of the first round.

Here's a quick look at the QB situation of the top 10 picks in this year's draft:

1. Carolina Panthers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers is sacked by Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers lined up four different QBs behind center in 2010.

Rookie Jimmy Clausen (pictured) took the most snaps, completing only 52.5 percent of his passes for three TDs and nine INTs...Not exactly franchise QB numbers.

The Panthers finished the season 2–14.

It would be easy to think that the Panthers will want to head in a new direction with their newly hired head coach, Ron Rivera.

2. Denver Broncos

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos scrambles against the San Diego Chargers at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Is it possible that the Denver Broncos (4-12) front office would be interested in reuniting former Florida teammates Tim Tebow and Cam Newton just for laughs?

I don't think so.

Last offseason, the Broncos collected QBs by acquiring Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn, and then surprising just about everyone in drafting Tebow (pictured).

Tebow played little or not at all for the first 13 weeks of the season. He finished up the final three games by completing 50 percent of his passes, throwing five TDs and running for six.

While new coach John Fox may want to put his own stamp on things, it is highly unlikely that Denver will choose Newton....but no one saw the Tebow selection coming, either.

3. Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills fumbles as he is hit by Gary Guyton #59 of the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Bills (4-12) had another difficult year in 2010.

Even though they split their last eight games, they lost their first eight.

Fifth-year Harvard grad Ryan Fitzpatrick (pictured) had a respectable year, throwing for 3,000 yards on 57.8 percent passing accuracy.

He threw for 23 TDs and 15 INTs.

While those numbers aren't eye-popping, head coach Chan Gailey may want to target one of the Bills' many other needs with this high draft pick rather than picking Newton.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals fumbles the ball with less than two minutes to go in the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Benga

While 2010 was one of Carson Palmer's (pictured) worst year's since entering the league, it would be hard to imagine that the Bengals (4-12) are looking to move on to someone else...at least, not quite yet.

Palmer threw for 3,970 yards with 26 TDs and 20 INTs (tied career high).

As much as Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis would like to see Palmer be more productive in 2011, there is virtually no chance that the Bengals will choose Cam.

5. Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback John Skelton #19 of the Arizona Cardinals scrambles with the football under pressure from Jason Hunter #52 of the Denver Broncos during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glen

The Arizona Cardinals were another team that could have installed a revolving door behind center.

The Cardinals (5-11) tried four different QBs through the season, ending up with John Skelton (pictured), a rookie from Fordham.

The Cardinals were No. 31 in passing, and No. 32 (or last) in rushing. Could Cam Newton possibly help in both of those areas?

Newton already knows how to win at University of Phoenix Stadium (the Cardinals' home field)—that is where Cam led Auburn to the national championship.

Interesting possibility.

6. Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns fumbles the ball after being hit by defensive end Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Mat

The Browns (5-11) were yet another team that made their way through a series of QBs, finishing the year with rookie Colt McCoy (pictured) calling the signals.

McCoy's entry into the NFL was less than spectacular. In eight starts, he threw six TDs and nine INTs.

It's hard to say whether or not new Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur will want to try to work with McCoy. He has been the St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator the past two years, and turned Sam Bradford into a rising NFL star.

My guess is that the Browns will look at filling other holes with this high draft pick instead of choosing Newton.

7. San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 02: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by Darnell Dockett #90 of the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty I

New head coach Jim Harbaugh has some big decisions to make at QB.

Alex Smith (pictured) is a former No. 1 draft pick, a player that the 49ers (6-10) have invested a lot of time, energy and patience in.

His 2010 numbers were not that great again.

Smith threw for 2,370 yards, 14 TDs and 10 INTs.

If he could convince his Stanford QB, Andrew Luck, to enter the NFL draft, Harbaugh might take him, but there is not much chance that he will try to start his efforts to turn San Francisco around with another rookie QB, even Cam Newton.

8. Tennessee Titans

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Kerry Collins #5 of the Tennessee Titans in action during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Tennessee Titans made the decision at the end of the year not to bring Vince Young back for another season.

They still have Kerry Collins (pictured), a 16-year NFL veteran, in place. But, how much longer is Jeff Fisher going to go with Collins, who will turn 39 years old during the 2011 season.

Collins can still be what Bill Parcells calls "a bus driver," just someone who will manage the game and not much more.

Would Fisher, who would love Newton's size and rugged physicality, take another chance on a non-traditional QB?

I wouldn't expect the Titans to go in Newton's direction, but.... 

9. Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys wears a sling on the sidelines after a left shoulder injury against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium on October 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Gett

The Dallas Cowboys (6-10) fully expect Tony Romo to make a full recovery from his broken collarbone that kept him out of the final 10 games of the 2010 season.

New head coach Jason Garrett potentially has John Kitna as Romo's backup with Stephen McGee also on the bench.

Cowboy owner Jerry Jones loves being in the spotlight and loves coming up with a "wow" pick. 

Still, the Cowboys are not likely to take Newton...even considering the "Jerry factor."

10. Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Rex Grossman #5 of the Washington Redskins is hit by defensive end Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by Win McNa

It's almost impossible to know what Washington will do next at the QB position.

Last offseason, the Redskins (6-10) acquired Donovan McNabb. McNabb had an uneven first 13 games, throwing 14 TDs and 15 INTs.

With little notice or explanation, Mike Shanahan switched QBs and went with Rex Grossman. Grossman (pictured) started the final three games of the season, throwing for less yards per game but a better passer rating.

The Redskins also have an owner, Daniel Snyder, who is more than capable of making some bizarre personnel decisions (see Albert Haynesworth's free-agent signing).

All that being said, it is possible that the Redskins may take a serious look at Newton.